E L l T E

Use & Care Guide

CongeladorGufa para su uso y cuidado

Cong61ateurGuide d'utilisation et d'entretien

44733

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.Sears Canada, inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2B8

www,sears,com

297055400 (0508)

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SedaU/ModeUNumbers ............................... 2

Umportant Safety Unstructions .................... 2-3Freezer Warranty ........................................ 3Protection Agreements .............................. 4First Steps ................................................ 5-6Setting the Temperature Control ................. 6Freezer Features ....................................... 6-7

Energy Saving Tips ................................... 7Power Failure / Freezer Failure ................... 7ice Service ................................................ 8

Care and Cleaning ..................................... 9Before You Call .......................................... 10-11

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USINGTHISFREEZER.

READ AND SAVETHESE INSTRUCTIONS

This Owner's Guide provides specific operating instructions foryour model. Use your freezer only as instructed in this guide.These instructions are not meant to cover every possiblecondition and situation that may occur. Common sense andcaution must be practiced when installing, operating, andmaintaining any appliance.

RECORDYOUR MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS

Record the model and serial numbers in the space providedbelow. The serial plate is located on the upper left wail insidethe freezer.

Model Humber: 253.

or 970.

Serial Humber:

Purchase Date:

PROPER DISPOSAL OFYOUR REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER

Mode,and SeriaBNumber P_ate

BEFORE YOU THROW AWAY YOUR OLDREFRIGERATOR/FREEZER:

,' Remove doors.

_, Leave shelves in place so childrenmay not easily climb inside.

,, Have refrigerant removed by aqualified service technician.

OTHERPRECAUTmONS,, Todefrostfreezer,atwaysunplugunitfirst.,, Never unplug the freezer by pulling on the cord. Always grip

the plug firmiy, and pull straight out from the receptacle.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

KENMORE FREEZER WARRANTY

ONEYEAR FULLWARRANTY ON FREEZER

For one year from the date of purchase, when this freezer isoperated and maintained according to the instructions suppliedwith it, Sears wiiI repair this Freezer, free of charge, if defectivein materiai or workmanship.

FIVEYEAR FULLWARRANTY ON SEALED

REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

For five years from the date of purchase, when this freezer isoperated and maintained according to the instructions suppliedwith it, Sears will repair the sealed system (consisting ofrefrigerant, connecting tubing, and compressor), free of charge,if defective in material or workmanship.

Al! above warranty coverage applies only to freezers which areused for storage of food for private household purposes.

Warranty service is available in the United States or Canada bycontacting Sears at 1-800-4-MYHOME@ (1-800-469-4663).

This warranty applies only while this product is in use in theUnited States or Canada. This warranty gives you specific legalrights, and you may atso have other rights which vary from stateto state or province to province.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Dept. 817WA, Hoffman Estates, JL60179

Sears Canada _nc.,Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2B8

Grounding typewan receptacle

Power suppUycord with 3-pronggrounding pUug

In the U.S.A.

Master Protection Agreements

Congratulations on making a smart purchase. Your newKenmore Elite ®product is designed and manufactured foryears of dependable operation. But like all products, it mayrequire preventive maintenance or repair from time to time.That's when having a Master Protection Agreement can saveyou money and aggravation.

Purchase a Master Protection Agreement now and protectyourself from unexpected hassle and expense.

The Master Protection Agreement also helps extend the lifeof your new appliance. Here's what's included in theAgreement:

_" Expert service by our 12,000 professional repairspecialists

_" Unlimited service and no charge for parts and laboron all covered repairs

_" "No-lemon" guarantee- replacement of your coveredproduct if four or more product failures occur withintwelve months

_" Product replacement if your covered product can't befixed

_" Annual Preventive Maintenance Check at yourrequest - no extra charge

_" Fast help by phone - phone support from a Searstechnician on products requiring in-home repair, plusconvenient repair scheduling

_" Power surge protection against electrical damage dueto power fluctuations

_" Rental reimbursement if repair of your covered producttakes longer than promised

Once you purchase the Agreement, a simple phone call is allthat it takes for you to schedule service. You can call anytimeday or night, or schedule a service appointment online.

Sears has over 12,000 professional repair specialists, whohave access to over 4.5 million quality parts andaccessories. That's the kind of professionalism you cancount on to help prolong the life of your new purchase foryears to come. Purchase your Master Protection Agreementtoday!

Some limitations and exclusions apply. For prices andadditional information, call 1-800-827-6655.

Sears Installation Service

For Sears professional installation of home appliances anditems like garage door openers, water heaters, and othermajor home items, in the U.S.A. call 1-800-4MY-HOME ®.

In Canada

Maintenance Agreements

Your purchase has added value because you can depend onSears HomeCentral ® for service. With over 2400 Service

Technicians and more than a million parts and accessories,we have the tools, parts, knowledge and skills to back ourpledge:We Service What We Sell.

Your Kenmore Elite ®product is designed, manufactured andtested to provide years of dependable operation. But like allproducts, it may require service from time to time. The SearsMaintenance Agreement offers you an outstanding serviceprogram, affordably priced.

The Sears Maintenance Agreement

* Is your way to buy tomorrow's service at today's price.. Eliminates repair bills resulting from normal wear and

tear.

. Provides phone support from a Sears technician onproducts requiring in-home repair.

. Even if you don't need repairs, provides an annualPreventive Maintenance Check, at your request, toensure that your product is in proper running condition.

Some limitations apply. For more information aboutconcerning Sears Canada Maintenance Agreements, call1-800-361-6665.

This Owner's Guide provides specific operating instructions foryour model. Use the freezer only as instructed in this Owner'sGuide. Before starting the freezer, follow these important firststeps.

mNSTALLATmON

Choose a place that is near a grounded ebctricaI outbL DoNot use an extension cord or an adapter plug.

For the most efficient operation, the freezer should belocated where surrounding temperatures will not dropbelow 40° F (5° C) or exceed 110 ° F (43 ° C).

Allow the following clearances for ease of installation,proper air circulation, and electrical connections:

Sides 3/8"

Back & Top 1"

* Do Not block the toe grille on the lower front of yourfreezer. Sufficient air circulation is essential for the properoperation of your freezer.

Refrigerator

Freezer

Installation

LEVELING

The freezer must have all bottom corners resting firmly on asolid floor. The floor must be strong enough to support a fullyloaded freezer. NOTE: It is Very Important for your freezer to belevel in order to function properly, if the freezer is not bvebd

during installation, the

door may be misaligned Unpacking and LeveUingand not close or seal

cooling, frost, ormoisture problems.

To LeveJFreezer: Leveling Feet

Crating

screws and wood base,

use a carpenter's levelto level the freezer from

front-to-back, Adjust the

plastic leveling feet in

front, SSbubble higher,Arid (2) WOOd Bases

so that the door closes ,,_

easily when left halfway UnpackingandLevelingopen,

Leve/ing Instructions for all Refrigerator/Freezer Pair:

, Remove two Ieg levelers provided in literature bag. Whileunit is lying on its back for wood skid removal, install bothleg levelers in rear of unit.

* Level door of first unit using alI four levelers and slide unitinto place. Recheck for levelness and adjust if necessary.

* Measure distance from floor to bottom of door on first unit.

Adjust and level second unit so door height matches.

Leg Level Adjustments

o One full turn of alI four Ieg levelers will raise door 5/32".

o One full turn of both front leg levelers will raise door3/16" and tilt top of door back 7/16".

o One full turn of both rear leg levelers will lower door1/32" and tilt top of door forward 7/16".

o One full turn of both side Ieg levelers will raise door3/16" and tilt top of door 3/8".

Slide second unit into place leaving a minimum gap of 3/16"between units for door swing clearance.

This Iast step may require at least one extraction of thesecond unit to properly align units in a "built-in" application.

DOOROPENING

/ Shelf Front

DOOR REMOVAL

If door must be removed:

1. Gently lay freezer on its back, on a rug or blanket.

2. Remove two base screws and base panel.

3. Remove bottom hinge screws.

4. Remove plastic top hinge cover.

5. Remove screws from top hinge.

6. Remove top hinge from cabinet.

7. Remove door and bottom hinge from cabinet.

8. To replace door, reverse the above order and manner ofremoval. Securely tighten alJ screws to prevent hingeslippage,

iCE MAKER iNSTALLATiON

If your Freezer has an automatic ice maker, please refer to thetwo inserts in the bond pack that came with your Freezer (1.Installation Instructions & 2. Installation - Connecting be Makerto Water Supply) to correctly hook-up your ice maker.

COOL DOWN PERIOD

,, For safe food storage, allow 4 hours for the freezer tocool down completely. The freezer will run continuouslyfor the first several hours. Foods that are already frozenmay be placed in the freezer after the first few hours ofoperation. Unfrozen foods should NOT be leaded intothe freezer until the freezer has operated for 4 hours.

,, When loading the freezer, freeze only 3 pounds offresh food per cubic foot of freezer space at one time.Distribute packages to be frozen evenly throughout thefreezer. It is not necessary to turn the control knob to acolder setting while freezing food.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL

The temperature control is located inside the freezercompartment. The temperature is factory preset to providesatisfactory food storage temperatures.

However, the temperature control isadjustable to provide a range oftemperatures for your personalsatisfaction. If a colder temperature isdesired, turn the temperature controlknob toward COLDEST and allow

several hours for temperatures tostabilize between adjustments. Cold Control

INTERIOR LIGHT

The light comes on automatically when the door is opened. Toreplace the light bulb, turn the temperature control to OFF andunpmug the electricam cord. Replace the old bulb with a bulb ofthe same wattage.

SLIDE-OUT BASKET

A Slide-Out Basket located atthe bottom of the freezer,provides separate storagespace for items that are difficultto store on freezer shelves. To

remove the basket, pull out andlift up.

TILT=OUTSHELF

This shelf is locatedinside on the freezer

door and providesadditional storagespace. To access anitem, tilt top of "basket"shelf down.

ADJUSTABLE INTERIOR

SHELVES

Multi-position adjustable interiorshelves can be moved to anyposition for larger or smallerpackages. The shipping spacersthat stabilize the shelves for

shipping may be removed anddiscarded.

TO ADJUST CANTILEVERSHELVES

Lift front edge up.

Pull shelf out.

Replace the shelf byinserting the hooks at rear ofthe shelf into the wailbracket. Lower the shelf intothe desired slots and lock

into position.

Slide=Out Basket

Tik-Out Shelf

Adjustable Interior Shelves = Upright Models

MID LEVEL LIGHT

The light comes on automatically when the door is opened. To

replace the light bulb, turn the temperature control to OFF andunplug the electrical cord. Remove the lens from the lamp housing

by unsnapping it from the lamp housing using your fingers or a

screwdriver. Be careful not to break the locking tabs on the lamphousing. Replace the old bulb with a bulb of the same type and

wattage. To replace the lens, snap one side of the lens opening to

the tab on the lamp housing. Then carefully attach the other side.

To Remove Light LensPress Tabs I_

in Direction Shown.

Mid Levem Lighting

VACATION AND MOVlNGTIPS

Short Vacations:

Leave the freezer operating during vacations of lessthan three weeks.

Long Vacations:

If the freezer will not be used for several months:

,, Remove all food and unplug the power cord.

_, Clean and dry the interior thoroughly.

_, Leave the freezer door open slightly, blocking it open ifnecessary, to prevent odor and mold growth.

Moving: When moving the freezer, follow these

guidMines to prevent damage:

,, Disconnect the power cord plug from the wall outlet.

,, Remove foods, then defrost, and clean the freezer.

_, Secure all loose items such as base panel, baskets, andshelves by taping them securely in place to preventdamage.

,, In the moving vehicle, secure freezer in an uprightposition to prevent movement. Also protect outside offreezer with a blanket, or similar item.

The freezer should be located in the coolestarea of the room, away from heat producingappliances or heating ducts, and out ofdirect sunlight.

Let hot foods cool to room temperaturebefore placing in the freezer. Overloading

the freezer forces the compressor to run longer. Foods thatfreeze too slowly may spoil or lose quality.

Be sure to wrap foods properly, and wipe containers drybefore placing them in the freezer. This cuts down onfrost build-up inside the freezer.

Freezer shelves should not be lined with aluminum foi!,wax paper, or paper toweling. Liners interfere with coldair circulation, making the freezer less efficient.

Organize and label food to reduce door openings andextended searches. Remove as many items as neededat one time, and close the door as soon as possible.

ff a power failure occurs, frozen foods will stay frozen for atleast 24 hours if the freezer is kept closed. If the power failurecontinues, pack seven or eight pounds of dry ice into the freezerevery 24 hours. Look in the Yellow Pages under Dry ice, Dairies,or ice Cream Manufacturers for local dry ice suppliers. Alwayswear gloves and use caution when handling dry ice.

ff the freezer has stopped operating, see Freezer Does NotRun in the Troubleshooting Guide. If you cannot solve theproblem, call Sears Service immediately.

If the freezer remains off for several hours, follow the directions

above for the use of dry ice during a power failure. If necessary,take the food to a local locker plant until the freezer is ready tooperate. Look in the Yellow Pages under Frozen Food LockerPlants.

If your freezer has an automatic ice maker, it wilI provide asufficient supply of ice for normal use. During the initial startupof your freezer, however, no ice will be produced during the first24 hours of operation. Automatic ice makers are also optionalaccessories that may be installed in some models at any time.Call your local dealer for information.

TURNINGYOUR ICE

MAKER ON

After the plumbingconnections nave been

completed, the walersupply valve mus_ Deopened. Place _ne icecontainer under the ice

maker, pushing t as farback as possible. Lowerthe wire signal arm to tts"down" or ON position.New plumbingconnections may cause

ON

S_gnal ArmJ

.J.J

Ice Maker

the first production of ice cubes to be discolored or have an oddflavor. These first cubes should be discarded until the cubes

produced are free of discoloration and taste.

TURNINGYOUR ICE MAKER OFF

To stop the ice maker, lift the wire signal arm until it clicks andlocks in the "up" or OFF position. The ice maker also turns offautomatically when the ice container is full. if your model has anadjustable freezer shelf, place the shelf in the lower position, sothat the wire signal arm will hit the ice when the container is full.

ICE MAKER TiPS

,, Ice cubes stored too long may develop an odd flavor.Empty the ice container and ensure that the wire signalarm is in its "down" or ON position. The ice maker willthen produce more ice.

,, Occasionally shake the ice container to keep iceseparated.

,, Keep the wire signat arm in its "up" or OFF position untiithe freezer is connected to the water supply or wheneverthe water supply is turned off.

,, The folIowing sounds are normal when the ice maker isoperating:

,, Motor running

,, Ice loosening from tray

,, Ice dropping into ice container

,, Running water

Water valve opening or closing

,, Wash the ice container in warm water with mild detergent.Rinse well and dry.

,, Stop the ice maker when cleaning the freezer and duringvacations.

,, If the ice maker will be turned off for a !ong period of time,turn the water supply valve to the closed position.

Leveling Bracket

1'! or less

Keep your freezer clean to prevent odor build-up. Wipe up anyspills immediately and clean at least twice a year. Never usemetallic scouring pads, brushes, abrasive cleaners or strongalkaline solutions on any surface. Do not wash any removableparts in a dishwasher. Always unplug the electrical power cordfrom the waft outlet before cleaning.

Care & Cleaning Chart

Part What To Use Tips and Precautions

Interior/Door Use 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Be sure toLiner • Soap and water wring excess water out of sponge or cloth before cleaning around

• Baking soda and watercontrols, light bulb or any electrical part.

Door Gaskets • Soap and water Wipe gaskets with a clean soft cloth.

Drawers/Bins • Soap and water Do not wash any removable items (bins, drawers, etc.) in dishwasher.

Glass Shelves • Allow glass to warm to room temperature before immersing in warm• water.

Exterior and •Handles •

Exterior andHandles

(StainlessSteel ModelsOnly)

Soap and waterGlass cleaner

Mild liquid sprays

Soap and waterNon Abrasive GlassCleaner

Soap and waterAmmoniaStainless SteelCleaners

Do not use commercial household cleaners, ammonia, or alcohol to cleanhandles. Use a soft cloth to clean smooth handles. Do Not use a drycloth to clean smooth doors.

Clean stainless steel front and handles with soapy water and a dishcloth.Rinse with clean water and a soft cloth. Wipe stubborn spots with anammonia-soaked paper towel, and rinse. Use a non-abrasive stainlesssteel cleaner. These cleaners can be purchased at most homeimprovement or major department stores. Always follow manufacturer'sinstructions.

NOTE: Always clean, wipe and dry with the grain to prevent cross-grain scratching. Wash the rest of the cabinet with warm water and mildliquid detergent. Rinse well, and wipe dry with a clean soft cloth.

TROUBLESHOOTRNG Before calling for service, review this list. It may save you time and expense. This listincludes common occurences that are not the result of defective workmanship or

materials in this appliance.

PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION

FREEZER DOES NOT RUN

Freezer does not run.

Freezer runs too much Or tOO

long.

Freezer is plugged into a circuit

that has a ground fault interrupt.Temperature control is in theOFF position.

Freezer may not be plugged in,or plug may be loose.House fuse blown or trippedcircuit breaker.

Power outage.

Room or outside weather is hot.

Freezer has recently beendisconnected for a period oftime.

Large amounts of warm or hotfood have been stored recently.

Doors are opened too frequentlyor too long.Freezer door may be sfightly

open.Temperature Control is set tooIow.

Freezer gasket is dirty, worn,cracked, or poorly fitted.

Use another circuit. If you are unsure about the outlet,

have it checked by a certified technician.See Setting the Temperature Control Section.

, Ensure plug is tightly pushed into outlet.

, Check/replace fuse with a 15 amp time delay fuse. Resetcircuit breaker.

Check house lights. Call IocaI Electric Company.

, It's normal for the freezer to work harder under these

conditions.

, It takes 4 hours for the freezer to cool down completely.

, Warm food wil! cause freezer to run more until the

desired temperature is reached.

Warm air entering the freezer causes it to run more.Open doors less often.

, See ""DOOR PROBLEMS" Section.

, Turn control knob to a warmer setting. Allow several hoursfor the temperature to stabilize.

Clean or change gasket. Leaks in the door seal will causefreezer to run longer in order to maintain desired

temperature.

interior Freezer temperature is , Temperature Control is set too , Turn the control to a warmer setting. Allow several hourstoo coM. low. for the temperature to stabilize.

mntedor Freezer temperature istoo warm,

, Temperature Control is set toowarm.

, Door is kept open too long or is

opened too frequently., Door may not be seating

properly., Large amounts of warm or hot

food may have been storedrecently.

, Freezer has recently beendisconnected for a period oftime.

, Turn control to a colder setting. Allow several hours for thetemperature to stabilize.Warm air enters the freezer every time the door is

opened. Open the door less often., See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section.

, Wait until the freezer has had a chance to reach its

selected temperature.

, Freezer requires 4 hours to cool down completely.

Freezer external surface , The external freezer walls can , This is normal while the compressor works to transfer

temperature is warm. be as much as 30°F warmer heat from inside the freezer cabinet.than room temperature.

SOUND AND NOISE

Louder sound mevels whenever , Modern freezers have increased , This is normal When the surrounding noise level is low,freezer is on. storage capacity and more you might hear the compressor running while it cools the

stable temperatures. They interior.require a high efficiency

compressor.

Longer sound mevels when , Freezer operates at higher , This is normal Sound will level off or disappear as freezer

compressor comes on. pressures during the start of the continues to run.ON cycle.

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[PROBLEM CAUSE _ CORRECTION

SOUND AND NOISE (Cont.)

Popping or cracking sound " Metal parts undergo expansion _ This is normal Sound will level off or disappear as

when compressor comes on. and contraction, as in hot water freezer continues to run=pipes.

Bubbling or gurgling sound, ,, Refrigerant (used to cool ,, This is normalmike water boiling, freezer) is circulating

throughout the system.

Vibrating or rattling noise. ,, Freezer is not Ievel. It rocks on

the floor when it is moved

slightly.,, Floor is uneven or weak.

Freezer rocks on floor when it

is moved slightly.,, Freezer is touching the wall

Level the unit. Refer to "Leveling" in the First StepsSection=

Ensure floor can adequateIy support freezer. Leve! thefreezer by putting wood or metal shims under part of thefreezer.

Relevei the freezer or move freezer slightly= Refer to

"LeveIing" in the First Steps Section=

WATER/MOISTURE/FROST INSIDE FREEZER

This is normalMoisture forms on insidefreezer walls.

,, Weather is hot and humid,which increases intemat rate of

frost buildoup=

,, Door may not be seatingproperly=

,, Door is kept open too long, oris opened too frequently=

See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section.

Open the door less often.

WATER/MOISTURE/FROST OUTSIDE FREEZER

Moisture forms on ouside of - Door may not be seating I" See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section.

freezer, properly, causing the cold air /from inside the freezer to meet

warm moist air from outside.

ODOR/N FREEZER

Odors in freezer ,, Interior needs to be cleaned= _ Clean interior with sponge, warm water, and baking

,, Foods with strong odors are in ,, soda.the freezer. Cover the food tightly=

DOOR PROBLEMS

Door will not close. ,, Freezer is not Ievel. It rocks on

the floor when it is moved

slightly.,, Floor is uneven or weak.

Freezer rocks on floor when it

is moved slightly.

This condition can force the cabinet out of square andmisaiign the door. Refer to "Leveling" in the First StepsSection.

Level the floor by using wood or metal shims under the

freezer or brace floor supporting the freezer.

LIGHT BULB/S NOT ON

Light bumb is not on. ,, Light buib is burned out= _ FolIow directions under "Interior Light" or "Mid LevelLight" in the Freezer Features Section.

,, No electric current is reaching See "FREEZER DOES NOT RUN" Section=the freezer.

AUTOMATIC ICE MAKER

Automatic ice maker not - Ice maker is not working

working. (some models)

,, Ensure the wire signal arm is not in the UP position.

,, Water supply is turned off.,, Water pressure is too low.

,, The freezer is not cold enough.

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